How much shellac do I need to make a cake mix?
For your first mix, try a 2 lb cut of shellac. Pound cut is the measuring unit of shellac flakes dissolved in a gallon of alcohol. It’s the viscosity or thickness of liquid shellac, so a 2-pound cut refers to 2 pounds of shellac flakes or buttons dissolved in a gallon of alcohol.
What is a 2 pound cut of shellac?
Pound cut is the measuring unit of shellac flakes dissolved in a gallon of alcohol. It’s the viscosity or thickness of liquid shellac, so a 2-pound cut refers to 2 pounds of shellac flakes or buttons dissolved in a gallon of alcohol.
How often should you stir shellac?
When you do this, be sure to stir, not just shake, fairly often until the shellac is dissolved, at least once an hour. Otherwise the flakes will soften, settle, and stick together at the bottom of the container. They will form a lump that will be difficult to break up. Be sure to stir every hour or so until dissolved.
How many colors of shellac flakes are there?
Three colors of Shellac Flakes (Image: Wikimedia Commons) Shellac comes in a variety of colors. You can get it in light blond or dark brown or a wide range of colors in between. The color of shellac varies according to the climatic conditions and the time that the resin is harvested.
How much shellac do I need?
Shellac is used in various concentrations, or “cuts,” that are mixed with denatured alcohol to determine the thickness of each coat. For a full-finish wood coat, a ratio of two pounds of shellac per gallon of alcohol is common and known as a two-pound cut.
How do you use shellac flakes?
Shellac should be completely dissolved....Application:Once the surface is ready to finish, apply a coat of shellac using a quality varnish brush, pad, or spray gun.Apply in thin coats and allow the surface to dry for 30-45 minutes between applications. ... Apply additional coats until you obtain the desired finish .More items...
What is a 1 lb cut of shellac?
The term "cut" is used when referring to the amount of alcohol added to dry shellac flakes to dissolve them (one pound of shellac flakes dissolved in one gallon of alcohol gives a well-thinned one-pound cut).
What alcohol do you mix with shellac flakes?
Denatured AlcoholMake your liquid shellac solutions using a high grade Denatured Alcohol (190 proof is ideal for dissolving shellac flake) and also, Behlen Behkol Denatured Alcohol.
How long do shellac flakes last?
around 3 yearsRemember, in flake form, and stored properly, shellac has a shelf life of around 3 years. Keep the flake cool, dark and tightly sealed.
How long does it take shellac flakes to dissolve?
24 hoursMixing the shellac flakes is simply a matter of dissolving them and this usually takes 24 hours and sometimes more, depending on the temperature usually. If it's too cold it takes longer and you can use warm water baths to increase the temperature or other heat sources such as radiators.
What is 2 lb cut shellac?
Dry shellac is mixed with denatured alcohol in a particular ratio called a cut, which refers to the amount of shellac in pounds dissolved in a gallon of alcohol. A 2-lb. cut of shellac is 2 lb. of shellac resin dissolved in a gallon of alcohol.
What will dissolve shellac flakes?
denatured ethanolDissolve dry shellac flakes in denatured ethanol, which is sold in most paint stores. It also dissolves in methanol, butyl and isopropyl alcohol. Methanol will evaporate the quickest, followed by ethanol, butyl and isopropyl alcohol.
How do you mix shellac flakes with denatured alcohol?
To mix 1 pint of 1 Lb. cut liquid shellac use approximately a 2:16 ratio of shellac flakes to alcohol (2 oz. of shellac flakes dissolved in 16 oz. of alcohol).
What color of shellac is used as a wood sealer?
Shellac is a warm colored finish for wood that's easy to apply with a rag, brush or sprayer. It dries quickly so multiple coats can be applied in one day. Shellac is a natural finish that has been used for thousands of years. The color of shellac ranges from garnet to clear and it enhances the natural beauty of wood.
What pound cut is Zinsser shellac?
Zinsser's Bulls Eye brand sealer is a 2-lb. cut of pure, clear, dewaxed shellac - so of course it's imbued with more than a little magic. Dewaxed shellac is an ideal sanding sealer.
How do you mix your own shellac?
2-pound cut in a pint of alcohol, use 4 ounces of flakes. Mix. Pour the alcohol into a glass container with a lid. Stir in the flakes, close the lid, and give the jar a shake every 10 minutes or so for an hour, then let it sit overnight for the flakes to dissolve.
What is used to dissolve shellac flakes?
Dissolve dry shellac flakes in denatured ethanol, which is sold in most paint stores. It also dissolves in methanol, butyl and isopropyl alcohol. Methanol will evaporate the quickest, followed by ethanol, butyl and isopropyl alcohol.
How do you melt shellac flakes?
Soak the flake shellac in about 1/2 of the total alcohol to be used for 24 hours or longer (cool room temperatures will slow the process; pulverize the button shellac to speed dissolving) stir occasionally and when dissolved add the balance of the alcohol.
How do you apply shellac to wood?
To apply shellac, flow it liberally onto the surface, working in long, smooth strokes along the grain of the wood. Keep the surface really wet with the shellac, and apply the finish from dry to wet edges. After coating the surface completely, tip off the shellac along the grain of the wood.
How do you mix shellac flakes metric?
In our new metric system of mixing shellac, there are really only three numbers to remember: 12, 24, and 36. If you simply remember that to make a very light dilution of shellac (equivalent to our old "one-pound cut"), add 12 grams of shellac to 100 milliliters of alcohol.
What is a pound cut?
Pound Cut is the amount, by weight, of dry Flake SHELLAC dissolved in One gallon of Denatured Alcohol.
How long to stir shellac?
Stir or Shake every 15 -30 minutes. Let solution stand in a warm environment (with occasional agitation) until shellac is completely dissolved. There may be sediment and organic particles depending on the type of lac. Strain all types through cheesecloth, white cotton cloth, or paint strainer.
Where to store shellac?
In our shop the coolest place, outside the fridge, in hot weather is on the cement slab under the bench.
Can you use a hot water bath in cold weather?
A hot water bath can assist in cold weather. •• Warning: DO NOT use direct heat.
How to get rid of shellac sludge?
Dip the brush no more than 1/3 of the way into the shellac and tap it. Don't wipe the brush on the side of the jar. You'll pick up dried shellac sludge and end up brushing it on your project. Begin your stroke an inch or two from the end, and lay down the shellac with a light touch, moving toward the far end.
How to make a 1 pound cut?
To make a '1 Pound Cut', mix 4 Oz. of dry shellac flake into 1 quart of denatured alcohol (1/4 lb. in 1/4 gallon). It doesn't have to be exact, this isn't rocket science.
How to wipe a kid's face?
Wiping - it's just like brushing, only use a thinner cut, like 1# or 1.5#. Wrap a lint-free cloth around something absorbant like a wad of cheesecloth or lamb's wool. Squirt enough shellac on the inner pad to make it as wet as a sponge you might use to wipe your kid's face with, but not dripping.
How long does shellac last?
Remember, in flake form, and stored properly, shellac has a shelf life of around 3 years. Keep the flake cool, dark and tightly sealed. Therefore you can stock-up and mix only what is needed for the job at hand. The thing about shellac is that it will take a tremendous polish at extremely thin layers.
How long does it take for shellac to dry?
The rule of thumb is 6 months. Once dissolved, shellac begins a process called esterfication, where its ability to dry to a hard shell begins to degrade. Always date new jars of shellac you mix up, especially if you're not going to use it right away. If it's a few months old, test it on a scrap piece.
What to use to make shellac flakes?
Use a multi-folded piece of cheese cloth, paint strainer, or clean old t-shirt material. Shellac may be sprayed, brushed, padded, polished, or even wiped on with a rag.
What is the best way to clean up a spray gun?
Follow the directions for your particular spray-gun set-up. Clean up is easy with hot water and a mild ammonia-based detergent. Shellac Retarder (not lacquer retarder) will help eliminate ovespray and any orangepeel.
What is shellac?
Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug (Kerria lacca) on trees found in India and Thailand. The lac is a protective shell in which the female can lay her eggs. It’s processed and sold as dry flakes or buttons.
How to make a shellac sealer?
Now, to make a shellac sealer, take one fluid oz. of two-pound cut liquid shellac and add three fluid ozs. of alcohol to make a quarter-pound cut. This viscosity is excellent for sealing all types of wood before applying a friction finish like Crystal Coat. I also use this sealer for the inside of all my peppermills. Shellac sealer helps protect the peppercorns from absorbing any flavor or aroma from the different wood species I like to turn.
How to dissolve shellac flakes?
In the center of an old T-shirt, spill out the measured shellac flakes. The commercial flakes are much too large for processing, so it helpful to pulverize them with a mallet. Fold the t-shirt over the shellac to keep it contained in the cloth while moderately pounding the flakes. These smaller flakes will dissolve much faster. Place the flakes into the mixing jar, and to that, add 8 oz. of isopropyl alcohol. Seal the jar well. Make sure it doesn’t leak. Then run masking tape around the lid of the jar as extra insurance against leakage.
How long does it take to liquefy shellac?
Place the jar into the rotary tumbler and turn it on. The slow-rolling of the tumbler will completely liquefy the shellac in about eight hours. This process is a much faster way of making shellac on-demand than agitating it by hand over a three day period.
What is the purpose of shellac?
While sugar is the primary top-coat on coated tablets, the sealer is a coat of shellac designed to protect the core. The shellac coating hardens the surface to protect the core (which can be very fragile) in subsequent process steps of manufacturing.
What type of alcohol is used in commercial mix?
Second, you get to pick the type of solvent or alcohol in your mix. I choose to work with isopropyl alcohol….a friendlier alcohol. Commercial mixes use more toxic varieties like ethanol.
How to track a date when you mix shellac?
Keep track of the date you mix your shellac by dating the storage bottles and labeling the pound-cut. You’ll need to strain the shellac, and for this, it’s best to use a piece of sheer curtain material. (Use cotton t-shirt material in a pinch. It’s a slower strain.) The liquid shellac flows freely through sheer curtain material and strains all its impurities, like twigs, bug parts, and un-dissolved shellac. This nets about ten fluid ozs. of liquid shellac that’s a two-pound cut, perfect for French polishing.
